All pastels

Gaillac 2015, Les Greilles, Causse Marines ($23.85, 860387)A blend of Len de l’El (60%), Mauzac (20%), Ondenc (15%) and Muscadelle (5%) from organically and biodynamically farmed vines averaging 45 years old. Manually harvested. Gently pressed. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks. Occasionally filtered and/or fined on an as-needed basis. Minimum added sulphur. Reducing sugar: 4.8 g/l. 14% ABV. Quebec agent: Rézin.
Wafting nose: apple-pear sauce, chamomile, limestone, a whiff of alcohol. Round, not bone dry yet not at all heavy – due in no small part to the surprising current of acidity – with a texture between waxy and satiny. The soft, ripe-sweet fruit slow-fades leaving a mid-palate more felt than tasted and a finish with intertwining threads of bitterness, chalk and herbs and spice that, however faintly, bring a high-class white vermouth to mind. The alcohol is detectable but ghostly. A wine with no sharp edges: all pastels and just lovely. (Buy again? Yes.)

2 Responses

You know, it probably wouldn’t have occurred to me as a pairing but, based on how well Heredia’s Vina Gravonia worked with raw oysters, it might be worth a try. I drank this with my new summer standby*, for which it was an enjoyable match, though not as good as a steely Austrian Riesling or, the best yet, an Assyrtiko from Santorini. FWIW, in earlier thinking about possible accompaniments, I came to the conclusion that fish like doré or black cod would be sure bets.